Carton closing machine



June 1, 1937.

J. G. VERGOBBI CARTON CLOSING MACHINE Filed April 13, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 ywsJ CAMQAI ATTORNEY J1me 1937- J. G. VERGOBBI 2,

CARTON CLO SING MACHINE Filed April 15, 1955 5 SheetsSheet 2 INVENTOR dam- Maw.

ATTORNEY June 1, 1937. J. G. VERGOBB! 2,082,085

' CARTON CLOSING MACHINE Filed April 15. 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet s I I l I INVENTOR ATTORNEY d.M Wham J. G. VERGOBBL 2,082,086

CARTON CLOSING MACHINE Filed April 13, 1935 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR ATTORNEY June 1, 1937. J. G. VERGOBBI CARTON CLOSING MACHINE Filed April 15, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 5, I

ATTORNEY BY QLMm Patented June 1, 1937 John G. Vcrrobbi, Quincy,

Pneumatic Scale Corporation,

of Massachusetts Mass a corporation Mala, asaignor to limited, Quincy,

Application April 13, 1935, Serial No. 16,184

11 Claim.

This invention relates to a carton closing machine and more particularly to a machine for closing the bottom flaps of a carton, for tucking one of the flaps into the interior of the carton.

The invention has for an object to provide a novel and improved carton closing machine by which cartons of the type having the bottom flaps at least one of which is provided with a tucking flap, may be closed iii-2a novel, efficient,

l0 and rapid manner.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel apparatus for tucking flaps of a carton in an eflicient and practical manner.

With these general objects in view and such others as may hereinafter appear, the invention consists in the carton closing machine and in the various structures, arrangements and combination of parts hereinafter described and particularly defined in the claims at the end of this specification.

In the drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig. 1 illustrates in side elevation a sumcient portion of the present carton closing machine to enable the different features of the invention to be understood; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the portion of the machine shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elevation of the flap tucking mechanism, some of the parts being shown in section; Figs. 5 and 6 are perspective views of a portion of a carton with its bottom flaps in open and closed positions respectively; Figs. 7, 8, 9, and 10 are detailed views in side elevation with some of the parts in section and with the preferred form of flap tucking mechanism illustrated in different positions of operation, and Fig. 11 is a rear elevation viewed from the right of Fig. 8 illustrating the tucker blade and associated parts.

In general, the'present invention contemplates a carton closing machine which'is adapted to eihciently close those cartons having bottom flaps at least one of which is provided with a tucking flap adapte'dto be tucked into the interior of the carton in order to effect the closure of the bottom of the carton, and accordingly the invention contemplates the provision of bottom flap folding means associated with, and cooperating with, tucking mechanism for tucking the tucking flap into the carton, and provision is made for automatically presenting successive cartons. into a position to be operated upon by said bottom flap folding and tucking mechanism;

The successive cartons to be operated upon may 5 and preferably will be automatically delivered to movable carton supporting means, and the latter may, take the form of a plurality of blocks upon which the cartons are mounted with their bottom flaps projecting downwardly beyond, the lower ends of the blocks. Provision may be made-for 5 intermittently moving the blocks through successive stations, and during the movement of the blocks and while the carton is being supportedthereon, provision is made for folding the bottom flaps of the carton and for tucking in 10 the tucking flap, as will be described. Referring now to the drawings, the different 3 features of the invention are illustrated in a carton closing machine which may, except as to details of construction to be hereinafter point- 15 ed out, comprise any of the usual forms of bottom sealing machines now .upon the market. Reference is made to the patent of W. S. Scales, No. 767,445, dated August 16, 1904, as disclosing the general details of construction and mode of 2 operation of such prior art of bottom sealing machines.

As isgenerally known, and as illustrated in the Scales Patent No. 767,445 above referred to, these prior art bottom sealing machines have 25 included four forming blocks upon which cartons are successively placed by suitable mechanism, with the bottom flaps of the cartons projecting below the lower ends of the blocks. Successive cartons are placed upon successive blocks, as 30 each block is moved into a definite station, and thereafter a particular block with its carton is intermittently revolved through successive steps of 90 each to permit the different operations of folding and closing the bottom flaps of the car- 35 ton to be performed.

It has been deemed sufficient to illustrate only those portions of the bottom closing machine as will enable the present invention to beunderstood, and as herein shown, see Figs. 1 and 2, i0 4 represents the usual rotatable spider upon which the four forming blocks II are mounted to revolve therewith. The spider is arranged to be intermittently rotated by the usual form of Geneva drive including the Geneva wheel I4, 45 driver l5, and roll it, the latter being driven from an electric motor i8 throughconnections including a motor pulley 20 which is belted to a driving pulley 22 by a belt 24. The driving pulley 22 is fixed on one end of a shaft 26, suitably 50 mounted in the machine frame, and the other end of the shaft is provided with a gear 28 fixed thereon. The gear 28 meshes with a gear 30. fixed on a shaft 32 and the second end of the shaft 32 is provided with a bevel gear 34 cooperating with a bevel gear 86 fixed on the lower end of a vertical shaft 88. A gear 48 fixed to the upper end of the vertical shaft 88 meshes with and drives a gear 42 which is attached to the Geneva driver I5.

The cartons are placed upon the blocks when each block is brought into station A, see Figs. 2

- mounted upon a link 58, through connecting arms 68, 62, through a link 64 and arm 66. The arm 66 is fast to a shaft 68 to which is secured an arm I8 carrying the folding member 58. When the arm 58 is oscillated, it engages one of the narrower fiaps 46, folding it under the bottom of the carton, and the second narrower flap 48 is folded during the movement of the carton from station A to station B by the fixed folding member 52. The folding arm 58 is arranged to be withdrawn after the fixed folding guide 52 has engaged both flaps. During the movement of the block and carton from station A to station B the wider flap I2 is bent inwardly by a fixed, curved guide I4 and in arriving at station B the carton and block come to rest in a position such as indicated in Fig. 7. In the illustrated carton, the wider flap I2 is provided with a tucking flap 16 as shown in Fig. 5. After the block and carton have arrived at station B, provision is made for folding the fiap 12 up against the bottom of the block and for tucking the extended flap I6 up into the interior of the carton. As herein shown, the flap I2 is first bent up against the bottom of the block by a folding plate I8 mounted on an arm I9 and while the flap is held in this position a tucking blade 88 mounted to rock on an arm 8| is caused to bend the tucking flap I6 up at right angles to the flap I2 against the outside of the carton as shown in Fig. 8. At the same time, a hook member 82 mounted on a fiat spring directly in back of the tucking blade, engages the top edge of the tucking fiap so that when the folding plate 18 and the hook member 82 are rocked down away from the block, the hook member 82 carries the flap down with it to a position, as illustrated in Fig. 9.

The parts are now disposed in readiness for the next step in the series of operations for tucking the flap 16 into the interior of the carton. From the position shown in Fig. 9, the folding plate I8 is again rocked up against the bottom of the block and at the same time the tucking blade 88 is caused to enter the inside edge of the carton and as the folding plate advances toward the block, the tucking blade 88 guides the fiap I6 up into the carton and the different parts of the mechanism will then be disposed, as illustrated in Fig. 4. It will be observed that the corner of the block is cut away in order to provide a clearance for the tucking fiap to enter. It will also be seen that as the tucking blade 88 advances into the carton, the hook member 82 is disengaged from the top edge of the flap and rides up over the outside edge of the carton. As herein shown, the tucking blade 88 and hook member 82 operate together as a unit and normally the hook member extends through a cut out portion 84 in the blade, as

shown in Fig. 11. As previously stated, the hook member is mounted on a flat spring 86 to provide the necessary yielding action. In order to assist in the separation of the hook 82 from the blade 88, a thumb hole 88 is provided in the carton in the side where the tucking flap enters and it will be seen that when the blade 88 and hook 82 advance toward the carton, the parts are operated so that the angular surface 88 of the hook will come in contact with the top edge of the thumb hole and consequently the book will be separated from the blade.

During the operations thus far described, the arm 18 on which the folding plate 18 is mounted, and the arm 8| in which the tucking blade and hook are mounted, move together as a unit. The arm 8| is fixed to a rock shaft 82 and the arm I8 is mounted free on the shaft 82. As herein shown, a spring 84 is hooked at one end to a spring stud 96 secured to the arm I8 and at the other end to a spring stud 88 secured to the arm 8|. The spring yieldingly urges the underside of the plate I8 against the fiat surface I88 of the arms 8I.' Accordingly as the shaft 92 is rocked to move the arm 8|, the arm 18 will follow along with it.

During the withdrawal of the tucking blade into the position shown in Fig. 10, the plate I8 is caused to remain in engagement with the bottom of the carton on the block to hold the tucked fiap in its closed position and prevent the flap from being withdrawn with the tucking blade. It will be observed that the top edge of the tucking fiap I6 has been tucked up beyond the thumb hole so that when the .tucking blade and the hook are withdrawn, the hook will slide over the fiap and return into engagement with the tucking blade, as shown in Fig. 10.

After the tucking blade 88 has been withdrawn, provision is made for lowering the folding plate I8 into engagement with the arm 8| and the parts are thus returned to their normal position at the start of another cycle of operation, as shown in Fig. 'l. The folding plate I8 is provided with an angular member I82 which serves to hold and support the outer edge of the carton on the block when the plate is raised to the end that the flap will not be displaced laterally when being manipulated by the flap tucking members.

The above described motions of the flap tucking device are imparted through connections from a cam shaft I85. The cam shaft I85 is driven from the vertical shaft 88 through cooperating bevel gears |86, I88. The rock shaft 82 on which the arm 8| is fixed, is rocked by a cam .II8 fixed on the shaft I85, through a lever II 2 adjustably secured to an arm 4 extending from the hub of the arm 8|, and through the cam roller II6 mounted on the lever H2. The roller 6 is held against the cam 8 by a spring H8. The arm I8, which as previously described normally moves with the arm 8|, is held in a raised position, as shown in Fig. 18, by a cam I28 fixed on the shaft I85. This cam I28 is so placed on the shaft that the raised portion I22 comes in contact with a roll I24 in the arm 18 at the same time the tucking blade 88 is withdrawn and thereafter the roll I24 follows the cam I28 until the arms 18 and 8| are again in contacting relation as described.

The tucking blade 88 and hook member 82 are mounted in a rocking lever I26 which is pivoted on studs I 28 carried in the end of the arm 8|. The lever I26 is rocked by a cam I88 fixed to the shaft I85 through connections including a where the carton is lever I32, pivoted on -rocking action aoaaoeo a stud m; can roll mand link "I. A spring i connected at one end to a second arm in and at the other end to the machine frame holds the roll I36 against the cam I30. During the operation of the machine, the lever I26 may be rocked at the same time the lever Si is rocked and the combined controls the movement of the tucking blade 80 and the hook member 82, as described.

After the flap has been tucked into the carton at station B, the block with its carton is advanced to station C where the bottom of the carton is subjected to pressure, of any usual or preferred mechanism, including a pressure pad generally indicated at 3, to into the bottom of the carton. K

-'I'he carton is then advanced to station D removed from the block by any usual or preferred stripping device generally indicated at I, and deposited on a conveyor belt M5 to be carried away from the machine.

While the tucking mechanism is preferably embodied in a machine for closing and tucking the bottom flaps of cartons, it is not desired to limit the invention thereto.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms of machines within the scope of the following claims.

Having thus described the invention, what-is claimed is:-

1. In a' machine for closing the bottom flaps of a carton of the type having an outer bottom flap provided with a tucking flap and having inner bottom flaps, in combination, carton supporting means, means for folding the inner bottom flaps, means for folding the outer bottom flaps, means for imparting a preliminary fold to the tucking flap to cause it to assume an angular position with relation to the bottom flap, means for laterally supporting the lower comer of the carton to which the outer bottom flap is connected, and tucking means insertible into the carton for tucking the tucking flap into the carton.

. 2. In a machine for. closing the bottom flaps of a carton of the type having an outer bottom flap provided with a tucking flap and having inner bottom flaps, in combination, folding means for folding the inner bottom flaps, folding means for folding the outer bottom flap, independent means insertible into the carton for guiding the tucking flap to within the carton, means for laterally supporting the lower corner of the carton to which the outer bottom flap is connected during the flap tucking operation, and means for withdrawing said guiding means while permitting the folding means to hold the bottom flap in carton closing position.

3. In a machine for closing the bottom flaps of a carton of the type having an outer bottom flap provided with further set the tucked flap ber movable with wall of the carton therewith effects the disengagement of the latch from the tucking flap.

4. In a machine for closing the bottom flaps of a carton of the type having an outer bottom flap provided with a tucking flap and having inner bottom flaps, in combination, means for folding the outer bottom flap into carton closing position with the tucking flap folded against the exterior of the carton, means for withdrawing the bottom flap from the position into which it has thus been folded, said means comprising a latch member adapted to engage the end of the tucking flap, a guide member movable with said latch and insertible'into the carton, said latching member being constructed and arranged whereby engagea carton of the type having an outer bottom flap provided with a tucking flap and having inner bottom flaps, in combination, means for folding the outer bottom flap into carton closing position, means for folding the tucking flap against the outer surface of the carton including a latch member adapted to engage the end of the tucking flap, and a guide member, mechanism for eifecting the downward movement of Said bottom flap folding means and said tucking flap folding means, mechanism for effecting the insertion of said guide member into the interior of the carton and of the engagement of the latch member with the lower edge of the wall of the carton whereby to disengage the latch from the tucking flap, said mechanism being operative to fold the bottom flap into carton closing position.

6. In a machine for closing the bottom flaps of a carton of the type having an outer bottom flap provided with a tucking flap and having inner bottom flaps, in combination, means for foldin the outer bottom flap into carton closing position, means for folding the tucking flap against the outer surface of the carton including a latch member adapted to engage the end of the tucking flap, and a guide member, mechanism for effecting the downward movement of said bottom flap folding means and said tucking flap folding means. mechanism for effecting the insertion of said guide member into the interior of the carton and of the engagement of the latch member with the lower edge of the wall of the carton whereby to disengage the latch from the tucking flap, said mechanism being operative to fold the bottom flap into carton closing position, and means for withdrawing said guide member from the carton prior flap folding means whereby to hold the bottom flap in carton closing position.

7. In a machine of a carton-of the type having an outer bottom flap provided with a tucking flap and having inner bottom flaps, in combination, means for folding the outer bottom flap into carton closing position, said means being provided with a member for laterally supporting the lower corner of, the carton to which the bottom flap is connected, means for withdrawing the bottom flap from the position into which it has thus been folded, said means comprising a latch member adapted to engage the end of the tucking flap, a guide memsaid latch and insertible into the carton, said latching member being conto the withdrawal of the structed and arranged whereby engagement of the lower edge of the wallof the carton therewith effects the disengagement of the latch from the tucking flap.

8. In a machine for closing the bottom flaps of a carton of the type having an outer bottom flap provided with a tucking flap and having inner bottom flaps, in combination, means for folding the outer bottom flap into carton closing position, means for laterally supporting the lower corner of the carton to which the bottom flap is connected, means for withdrawing the bottom flap from the position into which it has thus been folded, said means comprising a latch member adapted to engage the end of the tucking flap, a guide member movable with said latch and insertible into the carton, said latching member being constructed and arranged whereby engagement of the lower edge of the wall of the carton therewith effects the disengagement of the latch from the tucking flap.

9. In a machine for closing the flaps of a carton of the type having an outer flap provided with a tucking flap and having inner flaps, in combination, carton supporting means, means for folding the inner flaps, means for folding the outer flaps, means for imparting a preliminary fold to the tucking flap to cause it to assume an angular position with relation to the flap means for laterally supporting the lower corner of the carton to which the outer flap is connected, and

- ing the tucking flap to within tucldng means insertible into the carton for tucking the tucking flap into the carton.

10. In a machine for closing the flaps of a carton of the type having an outer flap provided with a tucking flap and having inner flaps, in combination, folding means for folding the inner flaps, folding means for folding the outer flap, independent means insertible into the carton for guidfor laterally supporting the lower corner of the carton to which the outer flap is connected during the flap tucking operation, and means for withdrawing said guiding means while permitting the folding means to hold the flap incarton closing position.

11. In a machine for closing the flaps of a carton of the type having an outer flap provided with a tucking flap and having inner flaps, in. combination, means for folding the outer flap into carton closing position with the tucking flap folded against the exterior of the carton, means for withdrawing the flap from the position into which it has thus been folded, said means comprising a latch member adapted to engage the end of the tucking flap, a guide member move able with said latch and insertible into the carton, said latching member being constructed and arranged whereby engagement of the lower edge of the wall of the carton therewith eflects the disengagement of the latch from the tucking flap.

JOHN G. VERGOBBI.

the carton, means 

